Why we’re intrigued: An underrated thrower—did you see that pretty 65-yard toss to Shaq Roland to kick off the season against North Carolina?—Shaw is the type of gritty quarterback that can spark a team. He’s not afraid to take off running and he’s good at it, but Steve Spurrier would prefer he pick his moments and not risk injury. Shaw is seldom, if ever, mentioned among the SEC elite quarterbacks. If the Gamecocks can reach the SEC Championship Game, Shaw—who does share some snaps with Dylan Thompson—it might be time to elevate Shaw among the league’s best. (Gerald Herbert/AP)

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Taylor Kelly, Arizona State

Class: Junior

Why we’re intrigued: Like so many QBs today, he can pass it and run it. But the 6-2, 203-pound Kelly is a passer first and was excellent in 2012, throwing for 3,039 yards and completing 67.1 percent. He struggled against Oregon last year, but the Ducks aren’t on the schedule this time around.
(Ross D. Franklin/AP)

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Brandon Allen, Arkansas

Class: Sophomore

Why we’re intrigued: Ryan Mallett, Tyler Wilson … Allen has to be good, right? Mallett and Wilson are in the NFL. Allen was thrown to the wolves—or better yet, the Crimson Tide—last season. He got indoctrinated into the SEC in a 52-0 loss when he was 10 for 18 for 60 yards, two picks and sacked three times against Alabama. Let’s see how ready that made him for 2013.
(Gareth Patterson/AP)

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Nick Marshall, Auburn

Class: Junior

Why we’re intrigued: A one-time SEC player, JUCO standout and now back in the SEC? Sounds familiar. Marshall is not Cam Newton, but he certainly can do big things—real big things—in Gus Malzahn’s system at Auburn.
“I was in Georgia a couple of weeks ago and I was talking to Mark Richt about his team and somehow we got onto the topic of Nick Marshall—Nick Marshall used to be in Athens—and he was raving about his athletic ability,” ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit told Sporting News. (Richt was) saying that if Nick Marshall emerges to be the starter at Auburn, with his athletic ability and Gus Malzahn’s system, boy you could see Nick Marshall doing some special things. Then a couple of weeks later, he’s announced the starter. … I’m anxious to see Nick Marshall. I think he can be one of the more interesting first time starting quarterbacks not just in the SEC but maybe even on a national level who could be turning heads and saying hey, have you seen this kid at Auburn?”
(Todd Van Emst/Auburn)

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Keith Wenning, Ball State

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: For one, he’s off to a splendid start, completing 24 of 40 passes for 340 yards, three TDs and no interceptions in Ball State’s 51-28 win against Illinois State in the season opener. He’s been starting since he was a freshman and could lead the Cardinals to a 10-win season—they won nine last year—in 2013.
(Rick Osentoski/AP)

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Bryce Petty, Baylor

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: Because Baylor coach Art Briles loves him. He recently said that he expects Petty to leave Waco with a bunch of school records. That’s big considering a guy named Robert Griffin III came through Baylor, won a Heisman and put up crazy numbers. But the offense is built to score and if Briles expects big things, we’re watching.
(Tony Gutierrez/AP)

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Joe Southwick, Boise State

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: Southwick did a fine job replacing the greatest QB in Boise State history, Kellen Moore, last season. He completed 66.8 percent of his passes for 2,730 yards, 19 TDs and seven interceptions. Expect more of the same, which will culminate with another successful season under coach Chris Petersen.
(David Becker/AP)

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Chase Rettig, Boston College

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: Boston College was bad last season—real bad. But Rettig still managed to throw for 3,095 yards, 17 TDs with 13 picks. Will the Golden Eagles improve this season? They should, but they won’t do it without Rettig having a more efficient—he completed just 54.2 percent of his passes last year—season than last year. Head coach Steve Addazio has plenty of experience coaching offensive lines and better protection for Rettig will lead to better results.
(Winslow Townson/AP)

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Tajh Boyd, Clemson

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: Boyd could have spent the past few months competing for a starting job in the NFL and making millions of dollars. Instead, he returned because Clemson has something special in the works and he is at the center of it. Boyd and offensive coordinator Chad Morris are a lethal 1-2 punch. Boyd runs the offense to near perfection. A year ago he threw for 3,896 yards, 36 TD passes and just 13 interceptions. And his top target, Sammy Watkins, is healthy and looking to regain the form that made him one of the nation’s top playmakers as a freshman in 2011.
(Richard Shiro/AP)

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Jeff Driskel, Florida

Class: Junior

Why we’re intrigued: There’s something about long-legged, big-armed quarterbacks that piques our interest. Driskel arrived in Gainesville with great credentials. The next Tebow? Not quite, but he has the dual-threat skill set his predecessor had at Florida. Mostly asked to make the short and intermediate throws, Driskel has been solid in that area. The Gators weren’t much of a downfield threat last season and if that can become part of Driskel’s game, it would make his abilities as a runner that much more valuable.
(Phil Sandlin/AP)

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Derek Carr, Fresno State

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: He’s the younger brother of former Fresno State QB and No. 1 NFL draft pick David Carr. He entered the 2013 season as a probable first-round pick and with 7,760 passing yards. Fresno State started the season with a thrilling overtime win against Rutgers and Carr was fantastic. He completed 53 of 74 passes for 470 yards and five touchdowns. With numbers likes those, he’ll leave Fresno with nearly every school passing record in the book. Yeah, we think that elevates him onto our top-10 Heisman candidates list.
(Matt Cilley/AP)

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Jameis Winston, FSU

Class: Redshirt freshman

Why we’re intrigued: One of the biggest QB recruits in recent years when he left the state of Alabama and signed with Florida State. He was a pitcher and outfielder as a freshman baseball player at FSU and emerged as the Seminoles’ starter at QB weeks before the opener. His redshirt freshman season is highly anticipated.

“ Jameis Winston’s almost become like Roy Hobbs with some of the stories that have come out of Tallahassee, ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit told Sporting News. “He’s a natural athlete with a ton of ability, a big arm. Now I think the two things he has to be able to do in one, manage all the expectations and all the craziness out there and not let that affect him and his growth. The other thing is adjust to the speed of college football and the way things happen and how quickly they happen. Play within himself. He’s got a lot of talent around him and there’s no reason to believe he should not have a great year for Florida State.”
(Phil Sears/AP)

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Aaron Murray, Georgia

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: Because he’s the class favorite. OK, he’s the coaches’ favorite. The SEC coaches named him their first-team preseason All-SEC quarterback. Big deal, you say? That places him over Heisman winner Johnny Manziel and two-time BCS champion AJ McCarron. The expectations in Athens are high. The Bulldogs were a 5-yard completion away from beating Alabama in the SEC title game last year and playing Notre Dame for the BCS championship. The key for Murray is improving his game against the top-tier teams. Do that and Bulldogs’ fans will be thinking 1980 will happen all over again.
(Butch Dill/AP)

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Jake Heaps, Kansas

Class: Junior

Why we’re intrigued: Like a lot of quarterbacks, Heaps was a big-time recruit when he came out of Skyline High School in Sammamish, Wash. He signed with BYU, took over as starter as a freshman, but struggled his sophomore season. He transferred to Kansas to play for Charlie Weis. After sitting out last season, he was voted as one of the captains by the team and will be a big reason determining how much better the Jayhawks will be after a dismal 1-11 season in 2012.
(Jeff Jacobsen/Kansas)

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Jake Waters, Kansas State

Class: Junior

Why we’re intrigued: Waters was great last season—at Iowa Wester. He led the team to the National Junior College national title, threw for 3,501 yards and 39 touchdowns. He earned the starting job close to the season opener. He replaces Collin Klein, the heart and soul of the Wildcats’ program. With a depleted defense, Kansas State could struggle on that side of the ball. It will be in Waters’ hands to make sure the offense doesn’t a similar fate. But one thing we’ve learned in recent years: Don’t doubt head coach Bill Snyder and what he can get his teams to do.
(Peter G Aiken/Kansas State)

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Terrance Broadway, Louisiana-Lafayette

Class: Junior

Why we’re intrigued: Last year he didn’t begin the season as starter, but ended it that way. He can run and throw. He gained 769 yards on the ground and scored nine touchdowns. He threw for 2,842 yards and 17 scores, while completing 65.4 percent of his passes. He played well in a 27-20 loss at Florida, so getting that experience under his belt will go a long way in building on the Cajuns’ 9-4 record a year ago.
(AP Photo/Bill Haber)

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Kolton Browning, Louisiana-Monroe

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: Just look at the first three games of last season: The Warhawks beat Arkansas in overtime, lost to Auburn in overtime and gave Baylor everything it could in a 47-42 loss. He threw for 921 yards and eight TDs in those games with just two interceptions and he also ran for three scores. You can bet the Warhawks and Browning have the attention of nonconference opponents Oklahoma, Wake Forest and Baylor this season.
(Butch Dill/AP)

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Teddy Bridgewater, Louisville

Class: Junior

Why we’re intrigued: In a year with a lot of talented quarterbacks, Bridgewater is at the top in the elite group. He’s smart, makes good decisions and can make any thrown. Last year he threw for 3,718 yards and completed 68.5 percent of his passes. The Cardinals get mentioned as a BCS contender—and Bridgewater as a Heisman candidate—but their schedule is not on the level of the five power conferences. He’ll need to improve on his numbers and Louisville will have to win big for the season to be considered a success. That’s a lot of pressure, but Bridgewater looks like he can handle it.
(Keith Srakocic/AP)

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Zach Mettenberger, LSU

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: On the surface, Mettenberger’s numbers were OK last year: 2,609 yards, 12 TDs, seven interceptions, 58.8 completion percentage. But it was the transfer’s performance in the big games—particularly losses to Florida and Alabama—that put him under the microscope. In a 14-6 loss to UF, he was 11 of 25 with an interception and four sacks. But against Alabama, he was a different player—298 yards on 24 of 35 passing and a score and the Tigers came within a minute of closing out the eventual BCS champions. More play like that and LSU could find its way into the BCS discussion like it seems to be every year.
(Eric Kayne/AP)

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Rakeem Cato, Marshall

Class: Junior

Why we’re intrigued: He led the nation in yards passing per game with 350 and had at least two TD passes in every game for the Thundering Herd. He had eight games with at least 340 yards passing. Cato is the type of player that takes the team, puts it on his shoulders and does his thing. Expect nothing short of 4,000 passing yards in 2013. The Herd allowed 43.1 points per game last season and scored 40.9, so it’s a safe bet that Cato will get plenty of chances to toss it around.
(Christopher Jackson/AP)

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Stephen Morris, Miami

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: He was the talk of the Manning Passing Academy. He was already good—3,345 yards and 21 TDs a year ago—and it looks like he’s the perfect fit for Al Golden in a season where many think the Hurricanes will be one of the top three or four teams in the ACC. The Canes had a couple of lopsided losses in 2012—to Kansas State and Notre Dame—and you can bet Morris is eager to replace them with nonconference dates this season against Florida and USF.
(Lynne Sladky/AP)

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Devin Gardner, Michigan

Class: Junior

Why we’re intrigued: Any guy who can make it OK to not have Denard Robinson at quarterback has to be talented and Gardner is just that. He threw for 1,219 yards last season and 11 scores. He’s played on the big stage—against Ohio State in the bowl game against South Carolina—and those games certainly helped prepare him for this season when the Wolverines have bigger goals than reaching the Outback Bowl.
(Mark Duncan/AP)

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Andrew Maxwell, Michigan State

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: Even though he threw for 2,606 yards last season, Maxwell still had to win the job for his senior campaign. Why? His accuracy was spotty—he completed 52.5 percent of his passes. But in the Big Ten, having an experienced QB is important. Throw out the Spartans’ 20-3 loss to Notre Dame, their remaining five losses were by 1, 3, 2, 4 and 3 points. Wil Maxwell’s maturity and leadership turn those narrow losses into victories?
(Carlos Osorio/AP)

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James Franklin, Missouri

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: A healthy Franklin can be a very good one. Missouri was certainly hoping to have the 2011 version for its first year in the SEC. Instead, Franklin missed three games with injury and was knocked out of two more. Because of that, his numbers dropped in 2012. Still, the past two seasons, he has 31 TD passes and 18 picks and more than 4,300 passing yards. The Tigers went 5-7 last year and won two conference games. Franklin will be front and center in determining if improvements are made Year 2 in the SEC.
(L.G. Patterson/AP)

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Taylor Martinez, Nebraska

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: One of the biggest teases in all of college football, Martinez has looked like the best player in the country one game and prone to mistakes in others. A talented runner who focused on his passing skills prior to last season and it showed. He increased his passing yards from 2,089 to 2,871 and TDs fro 13 to 23. At the same time, he increased his rushing yards from an already impressive 874 to 1,019. Not many quarterbacks put up those kinds of numbers. He needs to cut down on the mistakes in the big games—he tossed seven interceptions in losses to Ohio State, Wisconsin and Georgia. Do that and he can be in the middle of the Heisman race. (Michael Conroy/AP)

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Bryn Renner, North Carolina

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: Don’t be fooled by his ho-hum performance against South Carolina, Renner is a top-tier quarterback and that should shine through as the season progresses. He threw for more than 3,000 yards last season—the first under the offensive-minded Larry Fedora—and should produce more of the same this year. He’s already turned heads at the Manning Passing Academy and positioned himself to be a high round draft pick in next year’s NFL draft.
(J Pat Carter/AP)

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Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: If he can do this in one season as starter—break four NCAA records, two MAC records and 14 school records and earn All-America honors, imagine what Lynch has in store for us in 2013. He was seventh in the nation—first among quarterbacks—with 1,815 rushing yards and 18 TDs. He also threw for 3,138 yards with 25 TDs and just six interceptions. He’s a legit Heisman candidate and has two opportunities to show what he can do: at Iowa and at Purdue.
(Alan Diaz/AP)

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Kain Colter, Northwestern

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: A tremendous athlete, Colter completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 872 yards and eight scores. He ran for 894 yards and four scores and, just because he can, caught 16 passes for 169 yards. That people, is called versatility. A sleeper pick in the Big Ten, the Wildcats lost just three games last season and all three—by one point to Nebraska, by 11 after blowing an 11 point fourth quarter lead and in OT to Michigan—could have gone either way. Colter will be the catalyst for Northwestern to improve on its 10-3 season that ended with a trip to the Gator Bowl.
(Tony Ding/AP)

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Tommy Rees, Notre Dame

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: The guy’s had ups, downs—probably a few more downs than ups—and here he is: the Fighting Irish starting quarterback as a senior. He started 12 games in 2011 and threw for 2,871 yards, but lost the job to Everett Golson last year and attempted just 59 passes. But Golson was an academic casualty and Rees is back behind center. He knows how to win—he was key in last year’s win against Michigan—and is a very good passer.
(Michael Conroy/AP)

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Tyler Tettleton, Ohio

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: By the end of Week 1 last season, people knew the name Tyler Tettleton. He led the Bobcats to a stunning upset at Penn State, throwing for 324 yards and two scores and rushing for another. Tettleton’s a hard-nosed winner from Norman, Okla. He’s the only Ohio QB to throw for at least 2,500 yards in back-to-back seasons and he should expect to see that string reach three seasons in 2013.
(Al Behrman/AP)

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Braxton Miller, Ohio State

Class: Junior

Why we’re intrigued: What can you say? He’s considered the Heisman favorite, along with Johnny Manziel. He threw for 2,039 yards last season and 15 TD passes, but may be at his best running the ball. He gained 1,271 yards on the ground last season—only three quarterbacks gained more. He’s efficient throwing the ball and can hit the big play, but becoming a better passer was an offseason priority. Now that Ohio State can play postseason ball, Urban Meyer wants to have his offensive arsenal fully loaded in hopes of getting a chance to take on an SEC team for the BCS title.
(Mark Duncan/AP)

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Trevor Knight, Oklahoma

Class: Redshirt freshman

Why we’re intrigued: It’s simple: We don’t know much, if anything, about him. We do know this: He was good enough to beat out Blake Bell for the starting job when it was all-but-assumed Bell would be the guy post-Landry Jones.

“I’m anxious to see him play,” ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit told Sporting News. “I’ve seen some high school video of him and I know in his spring game he’s played. Obviously, this is going to be our first opportunity to see what he can do. What I love is that Bob Stoops is not afraid to go against the grain. I think everybody assumed that Blake Bell—the Belldozer—with the way he played last year in the red zone situations would naturally progress with his familiarity with the offensive scheme and naturally become not just the package, but the overall quarterback. Clearly Bob was willing to give Trevor Knight a chance to show what he can do and he must have really performed throughout spring and into camp and he’s going to give him a shot.”
(Sue Ogrocki/AP)

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J.W. Walsh, Oklahoma State

Class: Sophomore

Why we’re intrigued: Because he was very good last year and will be sharing quarterback duties this season with Clint Chelf. Walsh completed 66.9 percent of his passes for 1,564 yards, 13 TDs and three interceptions in just three starts (he played in 10 games). Cowboys coach Mike Gundy has a dilemma—two talented QBs—but isn’t panicking about naming one guy, the guy. For good measure, Walsh can tuck it away and pick up yards with his feet, too. He gained 290 yards last season and scored seven times.
(Sue Ogrocki/AP)

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Clint Chelf, Oklahoma State

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: See previous quarterback. Chelf started five games last season, played in eight, and had pretty much the same stats as J.W. Walsh, the QB he’s sharing duties with this season. Chelf threw for 1,588 yards, 15 scores and six interceptions. He can run the ball a little bit, too, when needed.
(Sue Ogrocki/AP)

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Bo Wallace, Ole Miss

Class: Junior

Why we’re intrigued: He has that fearlessness you (most the time) like your quarterback to have. As more weapons are added around him—Hugh Freeze was the talk of the country on National Signing Day—Wallace will continue improving. He threw for nearly 3,000 yards last season and is off to a fine start in 2013. In the come-from-behind win against Vanderbilt, he was 31 of 47 for 283 yards and gained 48 yards with two scores on the ground.
(Gerald Herbert/AP)

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Marcus Mariota, Oregon

Class: Sophomore

Why we’re intrigued: Because the sophomore might be the nation’s most dynamic player and that’s saying a lot. He averaged 205 passing yards per game last season and another 57.8 on the ground. In Chip Kelly’s offense, Mariota was a perfect fit. Now with OC Mark Helfrich running the show, Mariota’s production should increase. Look for Helfrich to rely on Mariota’s decision-making with the ball in his hands. That worked out well in 2012.
(Paul Connors/AP)

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David Fales, San Jose State

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: Did you know Fales was the third-most efficient quarterback last season, just behind AJ McCarron and Aaron Murray and ahead, among others, current NFL QBs Geno Smith, Matt Barkley and EJ Manuel. He threw for 4,193 yards last season and hit 225 in the season opener against Sacramento State. He topped 300 yards seven times and had at least three TD passes eight times.
(Nick Wass/AP)

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Garrett Gilbert, SMU

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: Another one-time 5-star recruit who’s seen his career path bounce around. He stepped into the BCS title game against Alabama when Colt McCoy was injured and looked overwhelmed before settling down. He then started his sophomore season in 2010 at Texas and suffered a shoulder injury in 2011 before leaving for SMU. If he’s going to take the next step, he needs to cut down on his mistakes—just a 53.0 completion percentage and a 15-15 TD-interception ratio.
(LM Otero/AP)

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AJ McCarron, Alabama

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: We’ve heard it: McCarron doesn’t have to win games, he just has to not lose them. That’s so 2011. The senior wins games. He was the nation’s most efficient quarterback last season. He threw 30 TD passes and just three picks and completed 67.2 percent of his passes. (Jamie Martin/AP)

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Kevin Hogan, Stanford

Class: Junior

Why we’re intrigued: Replacing Andrew Luck was not an envious job last season. Josh Nunes got his chance and eventually, Kevin Hogan became the future at the position. He started five games, completed 71.7 percent of his passes for 1,096 yards and threw nine TD passes and just three interceptions. Among those five starts: leading the Cardinal to the key Pac-12 victory against Oregon. He’ll be looked at to do more in 2013.
(Lenny Ignelzi/AP)

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Casey Pachall, TCU

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: If he can bounce back from a forgettable year that saw him leave the team after four games in 2012, it will be one of the best comeback stories in years. He was arrested for DWI, left school and entered a substance abuse rehab facility and now he’s back on the team. When he’s playing QB, he’s exceptional. He threw 10 TD passes and just one interception in four wins last year. His replacement, Trevone Boykin, brings another dimension to the position and figures to get snaps in 2013, too.
(Matt Cilley/AP)

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Justin Worley, Tennessee

Class: Junior

Why we’re intrigued: In two seasons, Worley saw limited action—but enough to get his feet wet. Now, the show is his to run under first-year coach Butch Jones. Worley comes from a strong Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.) program. His numbers in two seasons with the Vols don’t show it, but he’s a winner. Tyler Bray drove UT fans crazy with his talent but erratic play at times. With a trip to Oregon this season, Worley’s task won’t be an easy one.
(Wade Payne/AP)

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David Ash, Texas

Class: Junior

Why we’re intrigued: Can Ash make the right decisions, make the throws when the Longhorns need it most? It’s a big season in Austin. Texas has struggled since its appearance in the 2009 BCS title game. Defense has been an issue, but consistency at QB has been an issue, too. Last year was a step in the right direction: Ash threw for 2,699 yards, 19 TDs with only seven interceptions. Knowing the Longhorns had difficulty stopping teams, it falls on Ash to keep the offense churning out points while the defense finds that missing consistency.
(Eric Gay/AP)

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Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M

Class: Sophomore

Why we’re intrigued: He’s been all over the headlines since winning the Heisman last season. He’s suspended for the first half of the first game and what everyone really wants to see is if Manziel can possibly be any better than he was last year. His coach Kevin Sumlin thinks he can—no, he expects Manziel to be better. That’s a tall order for a QB who threw for 3,706 yards and ran for another 1,410.
(Dave Martin/AP)

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Brett Hundley, UCLA

Class: Sophomore

Why we’re intrigued: He can’t possibly get any better than he was last season, can he? He set UCLA records for completions, passing yards and total offense as a redshirt freshman. He ran 72 yards for a score on his first play of the season in 2012. His roughest outing was against Stanford when he completed 20 of 38 passes, was intercepted once and sacked seven times. Circle Oct. 19 on the calendar because that’s when we find out what Hundley learned from that experience, except this time he gets to do it on the road. The Bruins play at the Cardinal.
(Tony Avelar/AP)

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Cody Kessler, USC

Class: Sophomore

Why we’re intrigued: It sure seemed like Matt Barkley would never leave USC. For a school that over the years has lined up future NFL quarterbacks, USC had a difficult tie figuring out who’d replace Barkley. Kessler and Max Wittek are competing for the job and that competition could last the entire season. In the season opener, Kessler was 10 for 19 passing with an interception, a touchdown and 95 yards. A highly-touted recruit out of Bakersfield, Calif., Kessler will be one to watch this season to see how he progresses. The Pac-12 isn’t a forgiving league and to succeed, he’ll have to put points on the board.
(Eugene Tanner/AP)

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Chuckie Keeton, Utah State

Class: Junior

Why we’re intrigued: Keeton’s been turning heads since the Aggies nearly stunned Auburn in the season opener two seasons ago. Now we’re seeing that it wouldn’t have been so stunning with the way Utah State has played the past two seasons. Keeton threw for 3,373 yards, 27 TDs and ran for 619. In the 2013 season opener—a heartbreaking loss to Utah—Keeton was 31 of 40 for 314 yards, two TDs and ran 85 yards and had another score. His numbers are worth putting him in the Heisman discussion. The Aggies play USC this season, a perfect opportunity to attract voters.
(Jim Urquhart/AP)

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Logan Thomas, Virginia Tech

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: He looks the part of a future NFL quarterback. Prior to last season, he was compared to Cam Newton. A disappointing season quickly did away with that talk, but Thomas is being overlooked entering 2013. He’s still big—6-6, 254—and can run and throw. But he struggled with his accuracy, completing just 51.3 percent last season with 18 TDs and 16 interceptions. He gained 524 yards on the ground and scored nine times, but averaged just 3.0 yards per carry. For the Hokies to bounce back from last season, they’ll need Thomas to lead the way.
(Brian Blanco/AP)

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Keith Price, Washington

Class: Senior

Why we’re intrigued: Steve Sarkisian knows offense and Price is a weapon for him. Despite throwing 70 more passes last year than in 2011, Price’s production dropped off. His TDs were down (33 in 2011 to 19 last year) and his yardage fell nearly 300 yards. Sarkisian needs a big season from Price to emerge from the 7-6 spot the Huskies have been in the past two years.
(David Becker/AP)

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Brett Smith, Wyoming

Class: Junior

Why we’re intrigued: It’s hard to complain with what Smith accomplished last season. Throwing 27 touchdown passes and just six interceptions is something any coach would take. But what they wouldn’t want is the 4-8 record that accompanied those stats. He was one of the Mountain West’s most dynamic players last season and coach Dave Christensen wants to start seeing that production translate into more victories.
(Michael Smith/AP)